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New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order on Friday declaring a disaster emergency in response to the monkeypox outbreak.
New York is the epicenter of the outbreak in the US, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are currently 1,345 confirmed cases of monkeypox and orthopoxvirus in the Empire State.
“After reviewing the latest data on the monkeypox outbreak in New York State, I am declaring a state disaster emergency to enhance our aggressive ongoing efforts to address this outbreak,” the leader wrote in a statement.
“More than one in four cases of monkeypox in this country are in New York State, and we must use every tool in our arsenal as we respond.” It is especially important to recognize the ways in which this epidemic is currently having a disproportionate impact on certain at-risk groups. That’s why my team and I are working around the clock to secure more vaccines, expand testing capacity and responsibly educate the public on how to stay safe during this outbreak,” she said.
NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO: MONKEY WELL THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH
New York Governor Cathy Hochul. (Craig Ruttle-Pool/Getty Images)
Hochul said on Twitter that the order would allow the state government to “respond more quickly” and help the state’s vaccination efforts.
Specifically, the order expands the pool of eligible individuals who can administer vaccines, including emergency medical personnel, pharmacists and midwives.
It also allows physicians and registered nurses to issue standing orders for non-patient-specific vaccines and requires providers to submit vaccine data to the New York State Department of Health.
On Thursday, the Empire State Health Commissioner declared monkeypox an “imminent threat”. for public health.”
People wait in line for a monkeypox vaccination in New York, July 14. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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“Based on the continued spread of this virus, which has increased rapidly and has primarily affected communities that identify as men who have sex with men, and the need for local jurisdictions to implement vaccines, I have declared monkeypox an immediate public health threat.” health all the time New York State,” State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said in a statement. “This declaration means that local health departments engaged in response and prevention activities will have access to additional state reimbursement after other federal and state funding sources are maximized to protect all New Yorkers and ultimately to limit the spread of monkeypox in our communities.”
Hochul then announced that 11,000 doses of monkeypox vaccine had been secured for the state and would be delivered in the next four to six weeks.
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra speaks June 28, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, file)
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced Thursday that an additional 786,000 doses of the vaccine will be distributed nationwide.
“Our goal is to get ahead of this virus and end this outbreak. We have a strategy to deploy these additional vaccine doses in a way that protects those at risk and limits the spread of the virus, while working with states to ensure fair and equitable distribution,” he said. “These vaccines are the result of years of federal investment and planning.”
On a call, Becerra told reporters the same day that the Biden administration believes it has “done everything we can at the federal level to work with … state and local partners and affected communities to make sure we can get ahead of this and end this epidemic.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News Digital. You can find her on Twitter at @JuliaElenaMusto.
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